1944-2005

Brother Giovanni was the son of Francesco Radici and Maria Barbieri. He was born on June 12, 1944 at Darfo (Brescia) and entered our Congregation at Alpignano in 1960. In 1962 he made his profession of vows. Since he was ill he spent his life in the houses of Northern Italy: Alpignano, Darfo-Boario, Bevera, Bedizzole and above all in Turin where he worked for the last twenty years of his life.
On February 24, 2005 he was found dead in his room. He was sixty years old and had been a religious for forty-five years. His funeral took place on Saturday, February 25 in our Founder’s church. Father Paolo Fedrigoni presided at the service, accompanied by Fathers Franco Gioda (Regional Superior) and Francesco Cialini (local Superior). Some forty of our confrères concelebrated. Brother Giovanni’s relatives, who had come from Brescia, were present at the funeral service.
Brother Jimmy – as he was known to all – was a mild, humble, kind and sensitive individual always ready to help others. He liked people and would welcome all with a warm smile at the doors of the Motherhouse; he was an eminent example of the family spirit our Founder so desired.
He performed a myriad of services willingly and well: set up the refectory, clean public areas, distribute the laundry, take care of the plants, empty the rubbish bins, visit the sick in the infirmary, carry specimens to the hospital… Little tasks that often escape our notice but are seen by God who promised paradise to the little and the humble.
At the end of the funeral Mass Father François Amboko gave a testimonial which described the life of Brother Jimmy with affection and human warmth.
After Mass his body was laid to rest in the cemetery at Alpignano.
Editors of Da Casa Madre

Father Paolo Fedrigoni’s Homily
In the first reading the words of the prophet, Isaiah (Is 25,6-9), describe a dream, a vision that the Lord turned into a reality: a banquet laid out for all people. The responsorial psalm describes the “green pastures” to which the Lord, our Shepherd, will lead us.
All of us have dreams in our life and Brother Gian Maria had more than many and we may think that he did fall asleep in the Lord comforted with the vision we have just heard described.
The Gospel was the beatitudes (Mt 5,1-12). Jesus describes how those who follow Him will live. He points out the features that will distinguish the chosen: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful; blessed are you when they persecute you and say all manner of evil against you …”
These words of the beatitudes seem especially appropriate here at Brother Gian Maria’s funeral. They are appropriate because they do not conceal the sufferings Jesus’ followers will endure. Sufferings, problems, misunderstandings that in no way diminish the beatitude.
When we think of Brother Gian Maria we cannot ignore his many health problems – he had good days and bad days for so many years. The communities in which he lived, his family members and all those who helped him were well aware of these problems. These infirmities and the discomfort they caused were the cross he bore. He bore this cross with dignity on his broad shoulders without being a burden to others.
How very much suffering – most of it known to Brother Gian Maria alone – accompanied him to the grave! But the Lord knows everything; He calls blessed those who suffer and are persecuted … He assures them, “Rejoice and be glad, your reward will be great in heaven.”
The Beatitudes do not just speak about suffering; they talk of humility, meekness, mercy, peace and beatitude! When we think of Brother Gian Maria it is not just as a person who suffered – rather we remember a jovial, kind, sensitive man who was concerned with other people’s needs. He was a “people person.” He was never judgmental nor did he ever look down on others. Everyone felt at ease with him.
We will miss him. His presence was felt everywhere. He was always on the Motherhouse porch; he was always happy to meet with others and chat. He took part enthusiastically in every occasion – happy and sad – in our commuities.
Blessed Joseph Allamano wanted our communities to be imbued with a family spirit. Brother Gian Maria did everything possible to realize our Founder’s wish – he was a genuine brother to each of us. There was no sick missionary here in Turin that he did not go to visit; there was no guest at the Motherhouse he did not welcome.
We and so many others who are not present will miss him. I say this because everywhere he went – even in the hospitals – he made friends with whom he kept up cheerfully. This is how he lived his missionary vocation: he initiated countless friendships; he was a brother to all, genuinely human. At the same time he performed so many services – humble and unseen – in the community. He was always ready, willing and available.
Now the Lord has taken him home to give him that fullness of happiness promised to the humble, the poor, the merciful, the peacemakers, those who suffer. We still feel him close to us. We know that in heaven he will be no less a member of our family and no less a missionary. He will continue to assist us; he will make sure that our communities, his relatives, his friends and all our missions will – through the maternal intercession of Our Lady, the Consolata – live in fraternity and share the happiness of the Gospel.

A humble worker
During the eight years I have been at the Motherhouse, Brother Jimmy has been always here – doing all the little housekeeping jobs serving his brothers. He performed small services over and over – always cheerful and affectionate.
For several years he went back and forth between the Motherhouse infirmary and the Maria Vittoria Hospital carrying specimens and medicines. The reliability and sensitivity with which he performed these tasks endeared him to all; he was a welcome visitor at the hospital – everyone knew and loved this good-natured man.
He loved going to morning Mass with me at San Michele. While I heard confessions he would pray Lauds with the Consolata Sisters. He would then attend Mass and receive Communion with great devotion. He was happy to start his day this way. Unfortunately he could not continue going to San Michele – he took sick and was bedridden for several months.
In the late afternoon he would go to the porch and meet with confrères passing by – sometimes smoking a cigarette with them. These were the times he seemed most relaxed and at peace. His face was always lit up with happiness and joy even when he was not well. In the evening after supper I would go with him for a cup of coffee. Whatever I had to say he would always answer with a smile and then tell me what had happened during his day. Not infrequently he could be found in the community chapel, silently and in the shadows he spoke to God to whom he had devoted his life as a Consolata Missionary.
Father Antonio Giordano

Friend and Brother
Farewell, Brother Jimmy. Your humanity and faith were enormous – an example for us all. You welcomed every confrère, missionary or student, who came to the Motherhouse for the first time. This you did with simplicity and concern, sensitive and with a smile on your lips.
You made sure the visitor felt at home and not out of place. You showed him where to find drinking water, tea, the chapel, the refectory, the newspaper room, the television room, the laundry, the workshop, where to buy bus tickets, etc. You made him feel genuinely at home. You did not care where he came from – for you he was a brother.
You were always willing to take guests passing through to the Consolata Shrine, to Castelnuovo Don Bosco to see the Founder’s house or to Rivoli or Alpignano. You always loaned your radio to the newly arrived guest lest he feel lonely in his room. Every day you visited the sick in the infirmary.
So many beautiful activities – and now that you are gone who will do likewise?
We will miss your humanity, your simple, warm, friendly and fraternal attitude. But we will always remember you in our hearts. During your life you inspired love, serenity, friendship, joy, service and a family spirit. You learned from our Father Founder how to do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
May Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Our Lady the Consolata and Blessed Joseph Allamano welcome you with open arms and with the same warm smile that you greeted visitors to the Motherhouse.
Jimmy, brother, I thank God for your life.
Father François Amboko N.